Obituary for Dr. Patricia Jean (Ortmann) Spoor Stillwell
Dr. Patricia Jean Ortmann Spoor Stillwell of Tyler was born on November 22, 1946 in Kingsville, Texas to Wilfred John and Dorothy Jean Christie Ortmann. She passed away on October 1, 2023 in Tyler, Texas at the age of 76. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Herbert Spoor, her second husband Charles William Stillwell and her brother Dr. Chris J. Ortman.
She is survived by her brother, Dennis Ortmann and wife Peggy and also her children Lana Hood and husband Brad, Scott Spoor and wife Jennifer, Jeff Spoor and wife Nicole. She had six grandchildren: Trent Hood and wife Bethany, Beth Lawson and husband Lance, Jack, Elizabeth, and Joshua Spoor and Karson Maschke. She was also Granny Pat/Mother to two great grandchildren Hannah and Wyatt Stillwell.
After growing up and graduating from Smiley High School and attending college in San Marcos, she married and raised her three children in Corpus Christi. Dr. Pat Stillwell spent her life dedicated to the education of others, training teachers and child-care specialists. After graduating from Southwest Texas State University, she began her teaching career as an elementary education teacher in Corpus Christi. She earned her Master’s degree from Corpus Christi State University and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University, Kingsville. Pat was instrumental in starting the Child Development/Early Childhood program at Delmar Community College. In her thirty-plus years in education, her academic legacy lives on through her students who now impact a whole new generation of students. She continued her love for books and learning with her long-term volunteer time and financial support of the Smiley Public Library.
Pat retired to her ranch in Yorktown, Texas. Her grandchildren have wonderful memories of Easter Egg hunts, Thanksgiving meals, Christmas cookie baking, and many day-to-day adventures on the ranch with the farm animals, tractor rides, and trips across the pasture on the Kawasaki Mule. Many memories live on of birthday celebrations, car trips through the country, and visits with friends and neighbors. After raising her great-grandchildren for several years, she formally adopted Hannah and Wyatt in November of 2017 and moved this newly-forged family to Tyler to be close to her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, Beth and Trent.
While in Tyler, Pat built a wide circle of friends by getting involved at Dayspring United Methodist Church, where she attended Bible study and women’s societies. She was a member of the Red Hatters, AAUW, League of Women Voters, Tyler Newcomers, and numerous book clubs. She supported arts in the area attending theater productions, concerts, and ballet.
Pat led an active and exciting life. She loved games of all kinds including gambling at the casinos and travelling throughout the world. Pat loved all her grandchildren and attended every possible activity they were involved in. She especially enjoyed sports and rarely missed a game. She would gather with friends and family whenever possible. Often Pat would open her home for various hosting parties, book clubs, 42 tournaments, and holiday celebrations. She was a woman with an enormous heart, and blessed others with her unfailing kindness and generosity. Finally, the loving heart she prized could no longer continue the fight.
The family would like to welcome you to a visitation scheduled from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway for Tyler friends and family. In addition, we have a South Texas visitation from 5:00 to 7:00, Friday, October 6, 2023, at Finch Funeral Chapel in Nixon, Texas. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 2:00 pm at St. John Lutheran Church, Westhoff, Texas with Reverand J.H. Putman officiating. A burial will follow at Westhoff Cemetery in Westhoff, Texas under the direction of Finch Funeral Chapel.
If desired, memorials may be made in memory of Granny Pat to Stella Ellis Hart Library (Smiley Public Library) or the local chapter of CASA.
She is survived by her brother, Dennis Ortmann and wife Peggy and also her children Lana Hood and husband Brad, Scott Spoor and wife Jennifer, Jeff Spoor and wife Nicole. She had six grandchildren: Trent Hood and wife Bethany, Beth Lawson and husband Lance, Jack, Elizabeth, and Joshua Spoor and Karson Maschke. She was also Granny Pat/Mother to two great grandchildren Hannah and Wyatt Stillwell.
After growing up and graduating from Smiley High School and attending college in San Marcos, she married and raised her three children in Corpus Christi. Dr. Pat Stillwell spent her life dedicated to the education of others, training teachers and child-care specialists. After graduating from Southwest Texas State University, she began her teaching career as an elementary education teacher in Corpus Christi. She earned her Master’s degree from Corpus Christi State University and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University, Kingsville. Pat was instrumental in starting the Child Development/Early Childhood program at Delmar Community College. In her thirty-plus years in education, her academic legacy lives on through her students who now impact a whole new generation of students. She continued her love for books and learning with her long-term volunteer time and financial support of the Smiley Public Library.
Pat retired to her ranch in Yorktown, Texas. Her grandchildren have wonderful memories of Easter Egg hunts, Thanksgiving meals, Christmas cookie baking, and many day-to-day adventures on the ranch with the farm animals, tractor rides, and trips across the pasture on the Kawasaki Mule. Many memories live on of birthday celebrations, car trips through the country, and visits with friends and neighbors. After raising her great-grandchildren for several years, she formally adopted Hannah and Wyatt in November of 2017 and moved this newly-forged family to Tyler to be close to her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, Beth and Trent.
While in Tyler, Pat built a wide circle of friends by getting involved at Dayspring United Methodist Church, where she attended Bible study and women’s societies. She was a member of the Red Hatters, AAUW, League of Women Voters, Tyler Newcomers, and numerous book clubs. She supported arts in the area attending theater productions, concerts, and ballet.
Pat led an active and exciting life. She loved games of all kinds including gambling at the casinos and travelling throughout the world. Pat loved all her grandchildren and attended every possible activity they were involved in. She especially enjoyed sports and rarely missed a game. She would gather with friends and family whenever possible. Often Pat would open her home for various hosting parties, book clubs, 42 tournaments, and holiday celebrations. She was a woman with an enormous heart, and blessed others with her unfailing kindness and generosity. Finally, the loving heart she prized could no longer continue the fight.
The family would like to welcome you to a visitation scheduled from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway for Tyler friends and family. In addition, we have a South Texas visitation from 5:00 to 7:00, Friday, October 6, 2023, at Finch Funeral Chapel in Nixon, Texas. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 2:00 pm at St. John Lutheran Church, Westhoff, Texas with Reverand J.H. Putman officiating. A burial will follow at Westhoff Cemetery in Westhoff, Texas under the direction of Finch Funeral Chapel.
If desired, memorials may be made in memory of Granny Pat to Stella Ellis Hart Library (Smiley Public Library) or the local chapter of CASA.